Shadow of the Evil God

Before Cesar could react, the prince's thoughts had already jumped to other things. "Is that rumor true?" Tusos asked her in a low voice. "Old Thane sent a beautiful woman to the steppe tribe to be a pet for his illegitimate son. She was once a famous scholar, but now she has a strange name. What was it?"

"Dog." said Altinya.

"Yes, Gouzi! Just like what we call beastman slaves!" Tusos couldn't help laughing as he spoke. It seemed the prince didn't care about this matter, or rather, he regarded it as a joke worth savoring. "I heard that the old emperor's favorite beastman gladiator was called Gouzi. He was a very powerful and huge fellow! How could he be assigned to a beautiful lady?"

Cesar saw that Tussos's flaw was his overactive mind, unable to keep anything in his head for long. His attention jumped back and forth between an unimaginable number of things, like a fleeting glimpse. He knew only a little about anything, never thought deeply about anything, and nothing held much meaning to him. Therefore, to him, knowing and not knowing made little difference.

Altinya's lips moved, as if she couldn't help wanting to accuse him, but she finally held back and remained silent. She probably meant to say that her brother was too simple-minded.

"By the way," the prince's thoughts jumped again, "What are you doing here?"

"I've sent people north of the fortress to conduct reconnaissance and assess the terrain and available routes," Altinia said. "The enemy hasn't approached yet, but in order to deploy ahead of time, the army and fortress must be fully prepared."

Tusos waved his hand, appearing unusually generous. "Don't worry too much, sister. The soldiers I've recruited can hold them off for a long time. That must be a desperate defense line in the rear, enough for you to be fully prepared."

Cesar assumed that Tussos would take the elite imperial guards with him before leaving. Therefore, the militia he left behind would be little more than a paper defense. To say it would crumble at the first blow would be an understatement. However, Tussos's understanding of war was that as long as there were enough men, they could form a defense. As long as there were men left, they would fight to the bitter end for the honor of the empire. He only needed to wait for the outcome of the battle from a distant refuge. Specific tactics and strategies were not a consideration for him.

Artinia naturally had no expectations of his promise, but they needed the local personnel he would undoubtedly abandon. Seeing Prince Tusos gazing at the marching road, lost in a long trance, she took this opportunity to speak:

"We are short of craftsmen here. I guess you have already recruited all the craftsmen into the militia. Before you send them to the front..."

Tusos waved his hand again: "Why be so serious? They are just some craftsmen. Although I don't know which military camp I have sent all the local craftsmen, you can take my order to look for them in various camps. All the craftsmen you can find are yours!" While ordering his personal guards to come and sign the order, he invited Artinya to go hunting in the forest, but she politely declined.

Cesar felt that Artinia was about to lose her composure. When Prince Tussos and his hunting army disappeared into the depths of the forest, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The princess rode up to his side, unscrewed the wine flask and took a sip. Then she shook her head and said, "When I was a child, I scolded Tusos as if I were scolding my own junior. Sir, suppressing this thought is harder than restraining myself from breathing."

"When we first met, you looked like you were looking for an opportunity to scold me," Cesar said.

"A way to rebuild status and relationships?" she asked herself, a playful look in her pale lavender eyes. "Hmm... That's what I originally thought, but it's been unsuccessful."

"You mean to play with a beast with sharp fangs in your hands?"

Altinya smiled. She brushed her silver-white hair, braided across her chest, to one side. "It was just some insignificant thought from long ago, Sensei. Now it seems I wouldn't even stand a chance of getting bitten, let alone doing it."

"Really a long time ago? I remember when I was sick, your every move reflected what you just said."

"Really? Well, maybe a little," Altinya admitted. "But you have to believe that I was concentrating on caring for the patient and not paying attention to anything else, sir. It's a pity that you didn't struggle, not even a change of expression. It was really boring."

"Next, we will go through the military camps marked out by Tusos one by one and pick out all the craftsmen." Cesar changed the subject.

"I've been quite good at discovering craftsmen recently. When I pick someone out, you have to tell me whether I'm right or wrong." She poured a glass of wine and held it to his lips with her white-gloved hand. "This is the wine Tusos brought from the old man. Do you want to try it?

I just tasted it and it was delicious.”

"Don't you think this is inappropriate? We are at the front of the march."

"Of course, I won't force you. However, this is a student's gift. A teacher wouldn't disappoint his only student, right?"

"You are really good at talking, Your Highness." Cesar lowered his head, took a sip of the wine glass she was holding in her fingers, and drank it all.

She wore an inscrutable smile. "I believe that others have no choice but to accept any inappropriate things I do, and that's why my status and position are worth savoring. In other words, the appropriate things are actually boring. There's no doubt, no doubt, your current status isn't a good match for Anne. She comes from too distinguished a background, being both the daughter of the Grand Duke and the heir to a school of mages. Only after we successfully complete the things we planned will this incompatibility become a perfect fit. And only after your tasks are completed will other things have room to be savored."

Cesar nearly coughed up his wine.

"Come on, sir, it was just a joke," said Altinya. She took back her glass and gently wiped the wine drops from her gloves. "We have so much to deal with, and a little joke to lighten the mood is not something you'd blame me for, right?"

Cesar thought that the title of Queen meant that she would never have a legal husband in her life. If she had already drawn up a blueprint for her future, her words could hardly be considered a joke.

Chapter 265: The Route of the Corpse Eaters

......

"If I hadn't actually met Prince Tusos, I would have thought you were a bunch of dim-witted swindlers and slave traders," said the local temple monk. He took the list of local craftsmen from the military tent and handed it to Artinia.

"What do you think of the local situation?" Cesar asked him.

He wiped the herbal powder from his face. "This place used to have a well-equipped garrison, but recently, they were moved further north to defend against the Beastmen, taking away most of the military supplies." The monk looked tired. "The prince has only the few remaining men. If he were to take them with him to seek refuge, the only ones left would be the militia. They barely have muskets, and relying solely on farm tools won't be enough to get anything done."

Cesar pondered, "When will the well-equipped local garrisons be mobilized?"

"Less than a month," the monk replied. "The local garrison, working with the armored monk, Count Villars, has repeatedly repelled Clefas's army. No one in the region has more combat experience than them. But Chancellor Heanria has transferred all the troops, claiming he's going north to resist the Beastmen, and he hasn't indicated any intention of replenishing the garrison. Given the current momentum, if the Beastmen break through the northern defenses, this area will be as weak as a paper cannon."

Cesar realized that the prime minister's court struggle had spread to his territory, but Artinya wasn't surprised, as if she had been prepared. Political struggles stretched from the easternmost coast to the westernmost border, inadvertently determining the fate of the entire region.

First, evacuate the elite garrison and local military supplies, then send Prince Tusos to safety. The Corpse Eaters will then quickly march south, overcoming this flimsy defense and easily reaching Fort Gural. The Beastmen could not only corner them to death, but also block the pass, hindering Clefas's army. This wasn't just a military and strategic consideration; it was also a continuation of a palace political struggle. Even the monks of the local temple didn't know what was happening, let alone all the people who were about to die inexplicably.

Cesar walked around the camp for a while, observing the terrain. He found it to be an ideal garrison location. Surrounded by steep hills, it faced a damp, choking jungle, and on the other side, a winding, turbulent river. As long as the elite garrison remained and was willing to invest time and effort in building a defensive line, this place could undoubtedly hold off the Corpse Eaters for a long time, potentially allowing them to meet when Clefas's army moved south.

But not anymore.

With only militia garrisons, the best local fortifications would be no better than paper-made ones, not to mention the dwindling supply of military equipment. As for Cesar, he naturally wouldn't station his own troops here; there was no need, no reason. In short, this place was a waste of time, letting a bunch of ignorant men with farm tools and mining tools repair pointless fortifications. Once they were all dead, they'd point to the ruins and claim they had fought bravely. Afterward, perhaps Prince Tussos would deliver a written eulogy, and then no one would mention it again.

Altinya paced over from behind him. "The terrain is indeed good," she said. "There are even traces of fortifications left over from the past. These militiamen are doing their best to emulate the methods used by the local garrison in the past. The officers under them don't know what to do, so they just follow orders and supervise the militiamen's dedicated construction."

"A political performance?"

"It's nothing more than political stunts," the princess agreed. "The better the fortifications are built now, the easier it will be to avoid the important issues when writing documents later."

The militia naturally didn't complain; as long as they were paid, they'd do anything. Compared to the Chancellor's still-owed wages for most of the mercenaries, this small amount of money was insignificant, especially the Black Swords, who were demanding exorbitant sums. Cesar saw men and women moving back and forth. Some were digging ditches to divert water from the river, creating artificial canals around the steep plateau. Others were felling trees on the outskirts of the jungle, constructing a decent fence and fortifications.

If it were just to defend against bandits, their fortifications would indeed be useful, but Cesar had seen the flesh puppets of the corpse-eaters in the wilderness. He didn't dare let those blood-spitting monsters get close to the city gates, let alone wooden fortifications.

Altinya took the list to the craftsmen, and then a monk from the local temple came over. This guy, Miles, was short, balding, and overweight, clearly older. But he had great strength and energy. Despite his tired look, he could still jump between the trenches and move freely.

"Are you the lord who has recently approached the Shawl Society?" Brother Miles asked.

Cesar looked at him sideways and said, "To be honest, I thought you wouldn't come to talk to me about the Cape Society anymore."

"The Shawl Society sent letters to all the monks near Gural Fortress," Brother Miles said. "I just received one. They said that Sodoris has the potential to become the town in Auridan that worships my God the most. The local area is governed by Brother Levita and several foremen, and the city governor's mansion has been converted into our hospital."

"That's right." Cesar nodded. "I need a reliable rear, not a mess that allows the local alderman's family to gain personal benefits. The Shawl Society can at least bring enough medicine. What do you think?"

"I really want to go over, but I have a lot to worry about here," said the monk.

"Really?" Cesar turned around and asked him, "But you don't seem to have any hope of resisting the beastmen, and this place doesn't seem worth your sacrifice."

"I know," Brother Miles said, "that we can't win a battle against those beastmen. Even if we can hold them off for a while, the harm will outweigh the good. Cliface will at least take the captives and send them to their territory as labor, while the beastmen will definitely tear us all to pieces. However, I can't leave. I have many responsibilities here. If I'm there when the defense line is breached, I can at least take the people I care for and escape along a reliable route."

"You mean you can't evacuate before this."

Brother Miles shook his head. "Prince Tusos gave the order, for one thing. Another is that the militia, after receiving the money, lost sight of their own capabilities."

Cesar stroked his beard. "I heard you trying to get people to take care of themselves so they wouldn't be unable to return home. That didn't end well, did it?"

Brother Miles's expression was grim, and he looked quite exasperated, but he was only able to hold it in through his good manners. A less well-mannered person would have probably started cursing loudly.

Cesar, of course, had heard the conversation, as had Altinya. Those men were militiamen who had just received their salaries and were in high spirits, clearly unwilling to tolerate any criticism. Compared to their already shaky faith in the temple, the salary was, of course, more important.

"What can we do when we go home? Dig coal in the dark tunnels? Or burn charcoal for a pittance that can't even buy a crumb of bread? Don't let this old man in a robe fool us - we are all soldiers with stable salaries now, and we may even get promoted in a while. The prince said that anyone who fights bravely and returns wounded will be promoted! As long as they get promoted, I can afford to marry a wife!"

Cesar savored the militia's thoughts and considered Brother Miles's plan. "Well," he said, "In that case, I'll plot a route for you. Once the defenses are breached, can you bring your followers south? I can let you pass through the fortress and head south to Sodoris."

Miles nodded. "That's a solution," he said. "But I can only take the few I can muster. Once the line is breached, people will flee in a chaotic, chaotic manner, south, west, and east. I'm not sure which direction the beastmen will go after, but as long as it's not the south..."

"Will someone flee westward? Isn't that Clifas' territory?"

"Local rumors say General Cliface is building a territory. He needs a lot of manpower and is very generous with the money."

A trace of suspicion crossed Cesar's mind. "Did this rumor just start recently?"

"People here have always equated Clifas's territory with poverty and hardship. Is that what you're asking about? The rumor is indeed recent, and some people who can't make it are already fleeing to Clifas."

Cesar was speechless as he watched the monk walk away from him and go to tend to the militiamen who were sick with fever and work injuries. A little later, Artinia came back with the list. When they exchanged their views, she fell into deep thought.

"So, Cliface has already spread the word to recruit people into his territory," the princess said. "While it may not be a threat, it's at least a signal."

"I think I have a reliable way to change the route of the corpse eaters," said Cesar.

"Is it related to the escape after the defense line was breached?"

"Yes, there's no better opportunity than when people are in chaos, fleeing in all directions. Did you know there's an ancient beastman behind me? The corpse eaters are eager for me and her. If they think I'm an officer of the local militia and discover I'm fleeing with the refugees after their defenses are breached, the corpse eaters' route will naturally shift to follow my escape route. Since Cleface has released the recruitment notice, I have no reason not to take advantage of it."

Altinya's eyes widened slightly. "Sir, are you serious? This bait thing..."

"Everyone has to do their part," Cesar said.

"Yes," she said, her voice rising sharply. "People have their responsibilities. But I don't think your responsibility, Professor Cesar, is to risk your life as bait, especially with the cannibals behind you and Cliface's army ahead of you."

Chapter 266 I'll move a table into your bedroom

"If you're talking about the city's defense, I'll teach you everything I need to know during this time," Cesar said. "Specifically, when it comes to command, you're more suited than I am. You've seen how useful I was at the pass at Gonzales' command post. I'm more suited to this task, and right now, no one is better suited. If I don't lure the corpse-eaters away, and let them break through the paper-thin defenses to the north and reach the fortress, then no matter what I do, the fortress and fortifications we haven't even had time to repair will be rendered useless. As you know, Aya, time is of the essence."

Altinya pursed her lips and said, "Are you sure I can't refute your logical analysis, sir?"

"Of course," Cesar nodded. "Your little tricks can be used in many situations, leaving me speechless, but not in this situation. As long as things rise to a certain level, your political considerations will force you to put aside your personal feelings. By the way, I don't think this is a bad thing, at least not for those who want to stand on the top. It's that simple, Aya. If I convince you that this is the right path, you won't let me stop halfway and go back to the high walls, because you know in your heart that I am right. In short, you know this is the best way."

"Yes, I know you're right," Altinya said, taking a step toward him, staring at him without blinking. "But I'm not willing to accept it, sir. Isn't it too much to say that? I just thought I had the upper hand in the exchange of words."

"When necessary, I have to speak a little more extreme."

"However, this kind of decision is usually made by those in high positions. Historically, powerful people have chosen personal friendship over political considerations, forcing others to sacrifice. I will naturally weigh the pros and cons..."

"I know," Cesar said, "but I'm a teacher and I shouldn't make things too difficult for my only student, right?"

“You always stand taller than me…”

Cesar shook his head in denial. "Not that much. Many people will still die as a result of my schemes, even deaths that shouldn't have happened. I'll still watch the people of this place being deceived, but I'll remain silent and say nothing. Ultimately, I might be doing this just for those few people."

"Can you promise to return alive and well, sir?" Altinia continued to stare at him. "You know, if we just stand behind the walls and defend Gural Fortress, we at least have a chance to abandon the fortress and escape far away. Even if we'll be left with nothing after that."

"Even if I promise again and again, you know very well that I cannot fulfill it. I can only promise to lure away the corpse eaters and leave enough time for the fortress." Cesar said.

She put a hand on his shoulder and touched his hair, twisting her fingers through the dusty black strands while looking directly into his eyes.

"Do you know how Anne and I used to tell stories when I was little, sir?" she asked.

Cesar paused. "Diana doesn't talk much about her past," he said.

Altinya's lips curled into an elusive smile. "I often say that when she was young and normal, everyone she knew was probably dead, myself included. After that, no matter how history writes the past, she will be the only one who remembers many things, and now, you, sir."

“This is too…”

She suppressed her smile. "I would say that I hope she tells our story to others, during the long winter days, or on idle nights. Unlike written history, those stories will be absurd and bizarre, worth pondering, and some of them may even be quite vile. But no matter what, when the stories are told, the storytellers will smile knowingly when they mention them, and say, 'Aya really went too far back then.'"

"I have to say, you're thinking too far ahead," Cesar said.

"Indeed," Altinia nodded. "Writing an unforgettable chapter in your memories may be as far-fetched as making a mark in history. Considering the life journey you're about to enjoy, I'm being a little willful and asking you to stay with me until the very end. However, I've suddenly noticed a difference between you and Annie, Teacher Cesar. You don't see Grandmaster Ferriers as your future self like she does."

"The blueprint you have outlined for your future is too long-term," Cesar said again.

"You have a sense of sacrifice in your mind, sir," she said in a gentle and calm voice, but precisely because of this tone, the pressure she created was even greater. "You made a decision so easily without even struggling, which is really terrible... If you keep acting so arbitrarily, I might make some drastic decisions in the future. You must be mentally prepared."

Altinya pressed Cesar's shoulders and sat him down on the stone, giving him time to think carefully about what he had said. Without a doubt, she had shown her unpredictable side, and her desire to challenge the authority of her teachers was constant, unchanged by the passage of time.

To be honest, Cesar felt that his ideas were not authoritative, but she still had the intention to challenge because it did not suit her. She said this with a serious attitude, more serious than him, and Cesar could not imagine her

What would she do? Since he couldn't imagine it, and considering her personality, he naturally couldn't ask her, so he could only bite the bullet and do what he thought was right.

Maybe she would do something he couldn't imagine, or maybe not. If she didn't say it, Cesar wouldn't be able to tell.

Altinia spent a moment tidying up his hair, which had become tangled after the long march, even wetting her white gloves with a canteen. Using only her fingers, she meticulously combed each strand, gently pressing his shoulders to keep him seated, staring out at the tranquil jungle ahead. When she was finished, she asked him to stand up and examined him closely, saying that his untidy hair needed regular care, otherwise it would look wild and primitive, something that would frighten someone like Tusos.

"I've already ordered the soldiers to search for craftsmen from various locations according to the roster," the princess said. "Next, we're going to the jungle to find Brother Xiluo's lost compatriots. We need to finish this as quickly as possible, and then we'll return. You must teach me everything you know, Teacher Cesar. If you keep disappearing and become impossible to find, I'll move a table into your bedroom and tell you to start teaching students the moment you wake up, until you're exhausted and fall asleep."

Chapter 267: The Past of Ferriers

......

The jungle wasn't suitable for large-scale marches, nor was there any need for them. Therefore, most of the troops were stationed near the fortifications being repaired by the Tusos militia, with only a small contingent entering the jungle. Fortunately, having experienced the wilderness before, Cesar saw the virgin jungle as anything but ancient and untamed, and the journey certainly wasn't difficult. Brother Shiloh led them through many winding paths, passing through swamps thick with mud and even encountering villages deep in the jungle. However, upon closer inspection, they were all abandoned.

Vines and weeds had overtaken the crude stone huts, revealing that this was once a settlement, now blending seamlessly into the surrounding jungle. Crumbling walls, weighed down by the damp mud, looked as if they had been worn down for millennia. In the center of the village stood a small shrine, its pillars stubbornly standing, though incomplete, weathered by the erosion of time. A black snake, its bright yellow eyes wide open, coiled in the treetops, spying on the group below.

At Gural Fort, Cesar heard people say that there were tribal people living in the jungle, but in reality, the place had been abandoned for at least a hundred years. Or perhaps nearly a thousand years.

Brother Xiluo said he felt something was wrong with this place, so they stopped at the ruins. Some of them rested in the temple, while others followed the monk to explore the various buildings in the ruins, hoping to find some clues.

Cesar was wandering among the ruins when he suddenly spotted the black snake slithering at his feet. It raised its pointed head and stared at him for a long moment, its gaze fixed on something. He bent down and reached out to grasp it, but found nothing there. The unreachable snake hissed softly, as if trying to slither away. Suddenly, Ajeh emerged from his feet, snatched it up, and tossed it into her mouth, making a terrifying, tearing sound.

“This little thing existed in the past,” she said.

Could Ajeh not only encounter the creatures of the past, but also catch and eat them? Cesar was very surprised, so he squatted down and poked her mouth, forcibly prying it open to feel the snake flesh she had bitten off. In the end, not only did he not touch anything, but she bit him, leaving two bloody holes on his hand.

He smeared the blood on her face and watched her gray wolf face turn into a childish human face, and couldn't help falling into deep thought.

So, perhaps the villages and settlements people outside the jungle spoke of were also creatures from the past. Ajeh suddenly took a step, and Cesar followed. The sun was gradually approaching dusk, casting layers of shadows deep in the jungle. The sunlight on the swampland was like the glow of a campfire. She avoided the scattered light spots and followed the shadows until they reached the edge of the ruins.

It was a giant tree, and looking up there was a treehouse, something they hadn't noticed when they approached. The treehouse was nestled deep within the canopy, with a shadow that looked like a door faintly visible. A figure in hunter clothing stood in the shadows, looking past them as if they weren't there.

People from the past?

Cesar couldn't resist the urge to explore, so he grabbed Ajeh and put her on his shoulder. He reached out and grabbed the tree, and just as he climbed up a meter, the man's eyes suddenly fell on him. He turned around and ran into the house with a look of hesitation.

When he reached the door, he discovered the treehouse was even more primitive than he'd imagined. The walls and floor were made from the tree trunks themselves, and even the ceiling was made from bundled logs, unprocessed. He saw bags of food hanging on the wall, but he reached out to touch them but found nothing. Instead, Ajeh took the meat out of the bags and ate them all.

This guy can plunder the history of the past?

For the first time, Cesar sensed something unusual about the Beastman Firstborn. No wonder the Kuna priest's remnant of memory sought her out. He turned to observe the people inside and saw several people arguing. One of them bore a striking resemblance to Ferriers—she was older than Ferriers, but younger than Grandmaster Ferriers.